Papa Doc carves a niche with area children
Adela Crandell Durkee — November 25, 2015
Dr. James Keehan began making wooden toys about 60 years ago. Somewhere along the line, he became known as Papa Doc. (Photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)
Dr. James Keehan, 95, seems to know the secrets to a long and meaningful life. Known around McHenry County as Papa Doc, Keehan exchanges his hand-tooled toys for the smiles of local children.
According to The Longevity Project, the secret to a long life can be distilled into four distinct attributes:
- Conscientiousness developed early and carried throughout life;
- Engagement or purpose;
- Taking on challenges and being persistent;
- Close relationships and social groups.
Keehan grew up during the Great Depression.
“There had to be a Santa Claus,” he said. “Otherwise, how would we get a present?”
For Keehan, who was born and raised in Chicago, a common evening meal was a slice of bread with gravy. His pet was a pigeon that pecked at his ear to wake him up in the morning, and got him in trouble by sitting on his classroom windowsill.
Keehan met the love of his life at a high school dance. They had four children, all ginger-haired like their mother.
The family traveled as he went through medical school and Air Force training. Keehan became a Flight Surgeon for the Air Force. After that, he was Director of Aviation Medical Services at United Airlines.
Canaan Heuser from Marengo plays with a wooden aircraft carrier create by De. James Keehan. (Photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)
“I went to medical school because I liked helping people,” he said. “I got to meet people under circumstances where they were pretty honest.”
Back when Keehan began his practice, doctors made house calls for $5; an office visit was $3.
“Most people had too many expenses to pay even that,” he said.
Keehan recalled a man with a broken leg who said, he would “just walk on it,” because he could not afford an X-ray.
Keehan began making wooden toys about 60 years ago.
Somewhere along the line, he became known as Papa Doc.
“It’s not something I planned, it just happened,” Keehan said.
He made toys for his own children, and before he knew it, neighbor children began knocking on his door asking for toys. He lets the children pick out whatever they want. His only payment is a smile.
However, even the children who do not pay, get to run a tab. He has a single rule. If there’s only one of a certain toy, he asks the child to wait for him to build a second. Keehan recalls a boy who asked how long it would take Papa Doc to make a second truck. When he told the boy it would take about two weeks, the boy said, “You better get on it then.” Keehan throws his head back in laughter at the memory.
Dr. James Keehan began making wooden toys about 60 years ago. Somewhere along the line, he became known as Papa Doc. (Photo by Adela Crandell Durkee/for Chronicle Media)
Keehan says he doesn’t really make toys.
“When a boy picks up an airplane, he becomes a pilot,” he said. “A wooden rabbit comes to life in the arms of a little girl. You can see it on their faces. The toys become something real.”
Keehan passes out toys at Joseph’s Market and the Jewel-Osco in Crystal Lake. This year, he can also be found at the Chick-fil-et.
“It’s so much fun to watch kids make a decision,” he said.
Keehan says aircraft carriers and boats aren’t as popular in the Midwest as they are in areas near seashore.
When asked what advice he would give to young people today, Keehan laughed, “Sometimes you just have to suck it up, and move on. It takes many years to get really ignorant, like I am. ”
— Papa Doc carves a niche with area children —
